District 53 — U.S. House of Representatives

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About this office

Representatives are elected to two-year terms to represent the people of a specific congressional district in the federal government. They introduce and vote on new laws, hold hearings, and are responsible for approving federal taxes.

For this office, only the two candidates who get the most votes in the primary election advance to the general election. The two candidates may be from the same political party.

Who supports this candidate?

Organizations (2)

Who gave money to this candidate?

Contributions

Top contributors that gave money to support the candidate, by organization:

1

American Federation of Teachers

$10,000

1

Caterpillar

$10,000

1

General Atomics

$10,000

1

Northrop Grumman

$10,000

1

Raytheon

$10,000

1

Sheet Metal Workers' International Association

$10,000

More information about contributions

By State:

District of Columbia 36.68%

California 27.16%

Virginia 20.29%

Illinois 5.20%

Other 10.68%

36.68%27.16%20.29%10.68%

By Size:

Large contributions (95.31%)

Small contributions (4.69%)

95.31%

By Type:

From organizations (77.44%)

From individuals (22.56%)

77.44%22.56%

Source: MapLight analysis of data from the Federal Election Commission.

Official Statement

Researched by Voter’s Edge

Source: San Diego County Registrar of Voters

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES53rd District

SUSAN A. DAVISRepresentative

I have never forgotten the words: “We the People.” As a community leader, my priorities have always been to listen to your concerns, to act on them and to provide excellent constituent service.

My experience as a social worker, youth mentoring program director and military spouse taught me the value of integrity, justice, responsibility, and a common sense collaborative approach to solving problems.

We need to end the dysfunction in Washington by putting country before party so we can get things done for everyday people. I take on the Administration when I disagree and work across party lines when I don’t.

We need a top-notch education system that prepares our students for the innovation economy. I know that my grandkids will not only work at different places, but they may also need to work in different jobs. As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Higher Education, I have championed legislation to make college more affordable, to improve education at all levels and to encourage apprenticeships that translate into direct career skills.

We need an economy that rewards those who work hard and play by the rules and guarantees equal pay for equal work for women and everyone in the workplace.

As a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, I focus on our national security and making sure our soldiers and veterans receive the services, benefits and justice they have earned serving our country.

That might not be your version of the sample ballot, though. To find your own sample ballot version, containing all the candidates and measures on your own ballot, please use the ROV's sample ballot look-up tool at https://www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/rov/Eng/ballot.asp .

Candidate Contact Info

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My Top 3 Priorities

Fix Social Security - This will crash within the next 20 years if not fixed

Change the tax code - People should be able to file their own taxes but the system is too bloated and confusing

Fix the VA system - Our veterans deserve better

Experience

Experience

Profession:Political Commentator at One America News

Education

George Washington University — Political Communications (2015)

Biography

Morgan was born and raised in San Diego. She previously served three years as Assistant Protocol Officer to Commander, Naval Air Forces and also worked on Capitol Hill. She is currently serving as as news anchor and on-air political commentator for One America News (OAN) in San Diego.

Who supports this candidate?

Elected Officials (1)

Questions & Answers

Questions from League of Women Voters of North County San Diego (5)

Family reunification is a process that allows immigrants already residing in the U.S. to bring in additional family members. Do you support limiting this process? Why or why not?

Answer from Morgan Murtaugh:

Another word for this is chain migration. While as a granddaughter of Mexican immigrants with relatives who live on the other side of the border, I understand that this severely undermines our immigration process. I wholeheartedly support family reunification as long as we make sure that everyone is going through the same process to get here.

Do you support expanding the current border wall between U.S. and Mexico? Why or why not?

Answer from Morgan Murtaugh:

I’ve been down to the border several times over the past couple of months. I’ve received border tours and briefings and saw first-hand the negligence of our federal government. Yes, the United States and Mexico have several fences between the two countries at the border. However, the fences as is are unsustainable and don’t do the job they were intended to do. This is a matter of national security and I support providing whatever infrastructure our border patrol agents ask for to make their jobs safer and more efficient.

Do you support creating additional regulations on gun ownership? Why or why not?

Answer from Morgan Murtaugh:

I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States when I decided to run for office. That means that I will protect and defend every part of the Constitution including the Second Amendment. Right now we are hearing about a possible “assault weapons ban” but no one can come up with a definition for an assault weapon. It is irresponsible as leaders to talk about issuing a blanket ban on something that no one can specifically identify.

Should the U.S. remain in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)? Why or why not?

Answer from Morgan Murtaugh:

I support the intentions of NAFTA and the ease in which it allows the U.S. to trade with Mexico and Canada but I also support amending the agreement to ensure that the U.S. is not being slighted.

What programs or legislation, if any, would you support to help Americans of all ages secure affordable health care?

Answer from Morgan Murtaugh:

I would support making it easier for families to attain affordable healthcare with pre-existing conditions and other disabilities. This part of the Affordable Care Act made sense. Helping people who needed it. However, I do not support forcing a one-size-fits-all healthcare program on the nation. We have seen first-hand what socialized medicine did to both Charlie Gard and Alfie Evans and their families. Our citizens deserve freedom and there is nothing free about forcing healthcare on citizens and then controlling their quality of care.

Who gave money to this candidate?

Contributions

Total money raised: $91,117

Top contributors that gave money to support the candidate, by organization:

1

Employees of Cool Springs Financial

$2,700

1

Employees of Herring Broadcasting

$2,700

1

Employees of Kaleidescape, Inc.

$2,700

2

BFP

$2,500

3

Republican Party of San Diego County

$2,113

More information about contributions

By State:

California 52.87%

Colorado 10.56%

Texas 9.70%

Florida 8.53%

Other 18.34%

52.87%10.56%9.70%8.53%18.34%

By Size:

Large contributions (51.46%)

Small contributions (48.54%)

51.46%48.54%

By Type:

From organizations (11.97%)

From individuals (88.03%)

11.97%88.03%

Source: MapLight analysis of data from the Federal Election Commission.

Political Beliefs

Jobs & Economy​I am an avid supporter of America's free-market economy. ​I believe economic freedom goes hand-in-hand with individual freedom. Our ability to choose our career, build a business, or purchase products should be free from government coercion or unreasonable regulation. ​I believe the best way to grow the economy and create new jobs is by reducing taxes and allowing innovation to continue to provide the American people with better products and services as well as new industries and careers.​ I will be an ally to business owners and job creators.​

What I'll do:1. Support legislation that reduces federal tax burdens on California businesses.2. Create economic incentives for California-made products to kickstart manufacturing and production ​to increase jobs and help provide stability to California workers.

Spending We are more than $20 trillion in debt, and career politicians in DC have lost control at the helm – they have chosen, not only ignore our national debt, but make the problem much worse. I believes too many career politicians in Congress are enriching themselves by authorizing huge spending for special interest group projects, that were never seen or consented to by the taxpayers. I believe we need to restore the power back to the people and return to responsible fiscal governance.

What I'll do1. Support zero-based budgeting, requiring government agencies to provide full transparency and justification for their funding.2. Block any legislation that gives special interest groups hundreds of millions in kickbacks without the consent of the taxpayers.

Taxes For decades, Californians have been hit from two sides at once. They’ve had their federal taxes raised by Congress, and their state taxes raised to historic levels by the California legislature. Millions of families have been forced to leave the state that they love because of these reckless spending policies. If elected to Congress, I will work line-by-line through the federal budget in order to lower spending, eliminate waste, and reduce the tax burdens on hard-working Californians.

What I'll do1. Work with the House Appropriations Committee to build on the Trump tax cuts by ensuring California workers don't lost their local & state tax exemptions. Californians deserve real tax relief. 2. Work to eliminate unreasonable regulations to stop burdening small businesses with government overreach.

VeteransOur nation is the land of the free because of the brave. For generations since our founding, brave Americans have put their lives on the line to stand against tyranny around the world. I will be a strong ally to our veterans and those who have sacrificed greatly for our nation. I am the only candidate in the race who has worked for three years directly under Commander, Naval Air Forces as Assistant Protocol Officer. I understand that our veterans have given so much for our nation. I believe we must do a better job in taking care of our veterans, and I will do everything in my power as Congresswoman to give them the care and services they have rightfully earned.

What I'll do1. Work with Congress and the VA Secretary to implement increased oversight and accountability measures to the VA nationwide.2. Expand rehabilitation services for combat veterans suffering from traumatic stress, and increase access to veteran job programs.

MarijuanaI believe the marijuana debate is fundamentally a states' rights issue. The 10th Amendment gives states the power to make decisions on issues like marijuana legalization. I support doctors having the right to prescribe medical marijuana and believe the economic benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana are undeniable. Additionally, the Cato Institute recently highlighted a study that found opioid overdose rates dropped 25 percent in states that legalized marijuana. While there are certainly risks that come along with any substance, I firmly believe this debate should be taking place without the disruption of an overreaching federal government. I support amending the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 to remove marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug.

National Security​ National Security is one of the primary functions of the federal government. I will work with our U.S. Military and national security agencies to keep our nation safe and ensure the constitution is upheld in the process. One practical area I will immediately focus on is securing our southern border. I believe border security is national security. Just like securing our homes at night by locking our doors, we must secure our borders to keep ​Americans​ safe.

What I'll do
1. ​Work with national security agencies to assess and properly thwart cyber attacks levied against the U.S. and its citizens.
​2. Support safeguards that protect the rights and privacies of American citizens.

Position Papers

Official Statement

Researched by Voter’s Edge

Source: San Diego County Registrar of Voters

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 53rd District

MORGAN MURTAUGH AGE: 26 Political Commentator

You’re probably reading this thinking to yourself, who is Morgan Murtaugh? For starters, I’m the youngest candidate in the nation running for Congress.

My grandparents immigrated here from Mexico in 1968 seeking a better life for our family, and it’s because of their sacrifices that I’ve been able to achieve all that I have. After graduating from the Academy of Our Lady of Peace, I worked for Commander, Naval Air Forces as Assistant Protocol while attending Grossmont College. I finished my degree in Political Communications at The George Washington University in D.C. and interned on Capitol Hill. After graduating from GW, I worked on the digital team for Carly Fiorina's presidential campaign. After moving back to San Diego, I became a political commentator and talk-show host. In the middle of all of that I worked in retail, was an Uber driver, a karaoke DJ and even did Postmates while campaigning to make ends meet.

Like most Americans, I’m tired of the status quo and believe that in order to change the tide, the next generation of leadership needs to step forward. It's time for a positive change in Washington.

I will make it more affordable to live in San Diego, promote immigration reform and improve our education system. That’s why I’m running and I hope to earn your vote on November 6th.

That might not be your version of the sample ballot, though. To find your own sample ballot version, containing all the candidates and measures on your own ballot, please use the ROV's sample ballot look-up tool at https://www2.sdcounty.ca.gov/rov/Eng/ballot.asp .